Minister’s Message
Dear Friends,
What does it mean to be Unitarian Universalist? How do I explain it? I am hearing these question more and more from you. You want a way to explain yourself to your friends, to your family, to your children, and to people you think might be enriched by participating in our congregation. You have rightly ascertained that Unitarian Universalism has evolved into something that is hard to explain to people who have only experienced more conventional Christianity. However, the difficulty of explaining it mostly comes from the fact that the conventional terms in which we talk about individual religions do not apply to Unitarian Universalism. Inevitably, when someone is looking for you to explain Unitarian Universalism, what she seems to be asking is, “So, what exactly do you believe?” which actually is not what Unitarian Universalism is about. My colleague, Thom Belote, said it well I think when he was explaining Unitarian Universalism to reporters from a fundamentalist Christian magazine:
….we are a covenantal faith, not a creedal faith. We share a covenant of how we try to be together, not a creed of what we all must believe together.
Then the questions really began: “Well, does your church believe in the Bible?”
My response: That is a creedal question. We are a covenantal church. We share a covenant of how we try to be together, not what we are expected to believe together.
This answer is not a flakey cop-out. This answer emerges out of a history throughout which people struggled with what it means to be Christian, what it means to be religious, and what it means to be “saved.” These people often risked their livelihoods, if not their lives, to say, “I am a thinking person, close to God by virtue of being born, and I should not need to be told what to believe by other mere human beings.”
Thom’s answer emerges out of the first action of the pilgrims when they landed in Massachusetts which was to form a covenant on how to live together as religious people. This answer emerges from the thoughts of devout early Congregational ministers who read the Bible and thought, “This is less about worshipping one man and about walking a path encompassing love.” This answer emerges out of religious philosophers like Ralph Waldo Emerson who could not believe that God was the possession of only those sitting under one kind of roof, who read the newly translated works from the East and thought, “We are trying to say the same thing: Life is full of blessings and injustice and God is everywhere.” This answer emerges from the fervent hopes of the humanists, who thought, “With or without God, our duty is to be good to each other and work for justice in THIS life.”
In the weeks to come, let us help each other find ways to articulate this beautiful, flawed, challenging, and brave tradition. It is worthy of our faith.
Faithfully,
Katie
Chairman’s Ramblings
It’s the start of the holiday season already, and each year the time seems to get compressed: too many activities going on, too much commercialism. This would be a good time to bring in non-perishable food or other items for the Foxborough Discretionary Fund. Their need is year-round but a little extra heavy this time of year. There are many families that need help with food and other items at this time of year, and your help is always appreciated.
If you have extra adult clothing, winter coats, shoes, etc., please bring them in to church. The patients at Shattuck Hospital always need clothing and Ginger Bailey will bring items in to the hospital. They should be clean and gently used. Ginger kindly took the leftover clothes from the yardsale, and they were appreciated. It would be nice to have members remember to bring in both food and clothes each Sunday.
Last, we will be doing the Guest At Your Table program again this year, but in a little different fashion. Instead of taking home the boxes to place at your table, we will set out a collection for the program at coffee hour. We hope you will be equally generous and appreciate the convenience.
Dick
Newcomer’s Orientation
If you have recently started attending services at Foxborough Universalist Church or are contemplating doing so, this short introduction provides information about the church, how to become more involved (including how to become a member), and a brief history of Unitarian Universalism. From 11:15 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. on November 8, the minister and a board member will be in the church office to answer your questions. You do not have to be ready for membership to attend this orientation.
Wayside Pulpit
“The world is like a mirror, you see? Smile, and your friends smile back.”
~ Japanese Zen saying
RE Happenings
After several rained-out attempts at a fall outdoor excursion, the RE classes finally switched to an indoor field trip. On October 18, despite rain, all the classes visited the Haunted Theater at the Orpheum. Amongst other activities, they danced in a 3-D room, visited a basement dungeon, and walked through a sparkly, spinning cylinder. A good time, and many treats, were had by all.
The Hogwarts
The Hogwarts group started learning the bible story of Joseph. The first lesson talks about his coat of many colors, his brothers’ jealousy, and leaves us hanging with Joseph being sold into slavery by his brothers. My favorite comment of the day came from Russell, who predicted that the brothers would kill Joseph because that’s how all the biblical people handle jealousy. While listening to the story, the kids made their own coat of many colors.
On November 13, the Hogwarts group will be going on their own field trip. After having learned about Joseph and his Coat of Many Colors, they will travel to Norton to see the Norton Singers’ version of “Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”.
Leah
Milestones
Vashti Cromwell McCollum, Kate Olivia Sessions, Edna May Oliver, James Luther Adams, Sir Charles Lyell, Charles Hudson, Mary Tyler Peabody Mann, Orello Cone, Lotta Hitschmanova, and John Haynes Holmes.
The First Thanksgiving
Interested in the facts and myths about the “First Thanksgiving” at Plimoth Colony? Log-on to www.plimoth.org/education/olc/ to use “You Are The Historian”, an interactive presentation created by the folks at Plimoth Plantation.
The Living Tradition
The Wheel Turns – Samhain
I would guess that most of you call October 31 Halloween, but for some of us it is the holiday of Samhain, the Witch’s New Year. It is a very magical night, when the veils between the worlds are thin. While we can and do celebrate Halloween with costumes, candy, and parties, there is always a private ritual or celebration where we honor our loved ones who have passed on and to invite them to join us once again on this sacred night.
Samhain actually means “Summer’s End” and was when the last of the harvesting was done. Some current Halloween traditions derive from the ancient Celtic traditions. The carving of pumpkins was actually the carving of turnips and they were used for light when many households let their fires go out so that they could be re-lit with the night’s bonfires. The Druids lit huge bonfires and the people gathered, sometimes wearing the skins of animals, which could be considered the source of dressing up for Halloween. The Romans had their own feast to honor the dead and also a day to honor Pomona, the Goddess of fruit and trees. When they conquered Celtic lands, these traditions blended. Pomona’s symbol, the apple, was incorporated into these celebrations, hence possibly this is where “bobbing for apples” comes from. The influence of Christianity also adds to the tradition of Halloween. As they were taking over the old Pagan rituals to influence people to convert, they called the day after Samhain, All Hallows or All Saints Day, a day to honor the dead saints, followed by All Soul’s Day, a day to honor all of the dead. The night before became known as All Hallows Eve, shortened to Halloween.
For those who follow a Wiccan spirituality, this is a very important night. Gathered together, or as solitaries, we honor our loved ones, we set out what is called “The Dumb Supper”, leaving a plate for those from beyond the veil who may be walking the night. We use the signs of autumn on our altars – leaves, acorns, pumpkins, apples. This is a night for divination, as Samhain night is known to be “the night that exists outside of time”.
No matter how you celebrate, may your Samhain be blessed and know that every ending is but a beginning in the Wheel of the Year.
Goddess Blessings,
Susan Morgaine
November 2009 Holidays
1 All Saints’ Day – Christian
1 Samhain – Wicca Northern hemisphere
1 Beltane – Wicca Southern hemisphere
2 All Souls’ Day – Catholic Christian
2 Guru Nanak Dev Sahib birthday – Sikh
12 Birth of Baha’u'llah – Baha’i
15 Nativity Fast begins (through Dec 24) – Orthodox Christian
22 Christ the King – Christian
24 Guru Tegh Bahadur Martyrdom – Sikh
25-28 Hajj – Islam
26 Thanksgiving – Interfaith – USA
26 Day of Covenant – Baha’i
26 Waqf al Arafa – Hajj Day – Islam
27 Eid al Adha – Islam
28 Ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Baha – Baha’i
29 First Sunday of Advent – Christian
30 Saint Andrew’s Day – Christian
International Day Of Climate Action
Our church hosted and participated in a successful “International Day Of Climate Action” event on October 24, 2009. Minister Katie Lawson, Pastor Paul Sangree of Bethany Congregational Church, Rev. Rebecca S. Brown of Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church, members of FACT (Franklin Area Climate Team), and Foxborough Selectman Paul Mortenson each spoke briefly of the need to take actions to reduce global warming. About 40 people attended the event, including church members and the public. There was a display of 390 ping pong balls (350 white and 40 black) to simulate the current atmospheric level of carbon dioxide of 390 ppm. The goal of the day’s activities focused on the number 350 and each participant was encouraged to take one of the black ping pong balls to represent both their intention to reduce their carbon usage and the need to bring the CO2 levels back down to the currently desired level of 350 ppm.
We were one of twenty-six Massachusetts UUA congregations to participate in the day’s activities, and one of more than 5,200 actions around the globe in 181 countries! Many thanks are extended to: the day’s emcee and guest speaker, Minister Lawson; Lisa Benoit for coordinating the event, making signs, setting up the sound system, and more; Madison for doing face painting. If you want more information about the ongoing work of 350.org or UUMFE, our Green Sanctuary efforts and related literature, and/ or the upcoming COP15 United Nations Climate Change Conference Copenhagen, please visit green.uufoxborough.org.
Stand Up For Climate Justice
Discussions about climate change usually focus on mitigation (reducing the production of carbon). But these efforts leave unaddressed the impact on people already experiencing the effects of climate disruption — communities around the world that had very little to do with creating the problem in the first place. Supporting these communities is a matter of justice. As part of the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee’s (UUSC) engagement with the global 350.org campaign, they have launched “Climate Justice Offset Program”.
UUSC’s partners around the globe can help advance social justice and develop methods to deal with the effects of climate change. For example, in Darfur, dwindling rainfall over the last several decades has caused more frequent droughts which has meant less water for people to grow their crops. The resulting increase in competition for land and water has exacerbated existing conflicts in the region, playing a major role in the genocidal war that has raged in Darfur for over six years. From your donations, equipment and materials can be provided to help a woman secure alternatives to leaving the safety of displaced persons camps in order to make a living. Please visit www.uusc.org/climatejustice to find out other locations UUSC is focusing on and how UUSC and its partners can help protect the environment by planting native trees, bringing together voices from the Global South concerned about climate change, and more.
First Thursdays Peace Vigils
Get involved in the ongoing Social Action project hosted from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 pm. at the church the first Thursday of every month. The First Thursdays Peace Vigils community would like you to join them; candles and signs are provided. Stay for as long or as short as your schedule allows. Upcoming dates: Nov. 5, Dec. 3, and Jan. 7. December will mark the 3rd Anniversary of our First Thursdays Peace Vigils.
Notices
* Nov. 1: (2:00 a.m.) Daylight Savings Time ends! Turn your clocks back one hour.
* Nov. 1: Work party after church. Bring your favorite tool to help clean the church grounds.
* Nov. 4: (7:30 p.m.) Men’s Group Meeting at StoneForge Pub in Foxborough.
* Nov. 5: (6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.) First Thursdays Peace Vigils outside at the church.
* Nov. 7: “Supporting LGBT and Questioning Youth: Creating Safety and Building Resiliency” free workshop at First Parish in Bedford. Visit www.uubedford.org to register.
* Nov. 16: Deadline for submitting UUA General Assembly 2010 Program Proposal forms to the Program Development Group.
* Dec. 2: (7:30 p.m.) Men’s Group Meeting at StoneForge Pub in Foxborough.
* Dec. 3: (6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.) First Thursdays Peace Vigil at the church.
* Dec. 6: (7:00 p.m.) Board Of Trustees Meeting at the church. All are welcome to attend.
* April 8-10, 2010: UU-UNO Intergenerational Spring Seminar, “A Climate Of Change: Head, Heart, And Hands Around The Planet” in New York City, New York.
* Contact rentals@uufoxborough.org to reserve the church for your ceremony, meeting, or other event.
Holdeen India Program
A new DVD resource, which gives an introductory overview of UUHIP, is available for free! Please visit www.tinyurl.com/UUHIP-DVD for more information.
Charter For Compassion
The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) is one among a diverse group of interfaith religious organizations that have partnered with the “Charter for Compassion” community. This collaborative effort seeks to be a witness to the centrality of compassion in all of the world’s religions – and to help build a more “peaceful and harmonious global community” through that witness. The finalzed version of the Charter for Compassion will be “launched” in a major event on November 12, 2009. Religious people from around the world are invited to join in this launch by sponsoring special events and activities. Unitarian Universalist congregations are welcome to participate in any way that they choose. Learn more about how our congregation can participate by visiting www.uua.org/news/newssubmissions/151228.shtml Additional details about the Charter For Compassion can be found on-line at www.charterforcompassion.org.
Minister Emerita
On October 18, 2009, we presented our former Minister, Reverend Fayre Stephenson, with the title of Minister Emerita of the Foxborough Universalist Church.
Reaching Out
While we’ve held drives to help send items to military personnel serving overseas, there are other ways to reach out any time to those far from home. Operation Dear Abby (https://wwwcfi.cnet.navy.mil/dearabby/), USO’s Operation Mail Call (www.uso.org/mailcall), and Operation USO Care Package (www.uso.org/oucp) are three on-line methods of bringing some Holiday cheer to the women and men serving our country around the globe.
UUSC Holiday Cards
This year, send more than holiday greetings in the mail to loved ones; send support to courageous human-rights defenders around the world with UUSC holiday cards! These cards are a colorful way to promote social justice during the season of goodwill. Order your UUSC holiday cards today via www.uusc.org.
Standing On The Side Of Love Friday Calls
Join in on the 45 minute Web-cast conference calls every Friday at 1:00 p.m. Each call features a presentation by Campaign Staff and Advisors, a Q & A, and discussion. Topics include: how to get your congregation involved; how to develop a local campaign; how to use new media; how to bring SSL to interfaith colleagues and allies; and more! For more details and connection requirements, go to www.standingonthesideoflove.org/fridaycalls/.
Families: Weave A Tapestry Of Faith
In the Fall, 2009 issue, UU World magazine launched a unique lifespan faith development resource to use at home. The new four-page insert in UU World’s centerfold space is geared for the whole family and draws from the stories, activities, and faith development guidance in “Tapestry Of Faith” curricula published by the Lifespan Faith Development staff group. The next issue will feature a story about Mahatma Gandhi’s quest for his own truth and a West African/Caribbean story about the spider, Anansi, to remind us, as we follow our own faith paths, to seek out our six Unitarian Universalist Sources and harvest their wisdom.
Worship Services
Nov. 1: Day Of The Dead by Lay-leader Neda Joury-Penders
On this day we come together to remember those who have died. We will explore what it means to live in the presence of death and how knowing that the people we love will die affects how we relate to them while we live.
Nov. 8: Bring A Friend Sunday by Minister Katie Lawson and Worship Associate Ginger Bailey
This service will be especially geared for those who may want to visit the church for the first time and will explore what it means to be a good a friend and what it means t to be a good neighbor.
Nov. 15: Health And Happiness by Katie Lawson and Virginia Sanders
In the presence of the debate over health care legislation and so much information about what it means to be healthy, we will explore the ways in which physical health is entangled with our spiritual health and religious lives.
Nov. 22: The Attitude Of Gratitude
As Thanksgiving approaches, we devote our worship to reasons for and ways of cultivating gratitude in our lives. We will also celebrate with a Cornbread Communion.
Nov. 29: Decking Your Halls
As we move into the winter holiday season, how do we retain the spirit of reverence that is their inspiration. How do we enter the holiday season with intention and hold
that intention throughout?
In The Community
Month – Free mulch and compost for residents from DPW; Mondays & Wednesdays – Belly Dance classes at the church (6:30 p.m.); Tuesdays – Yoga classes at the church (6:30 p.m.); Nov. 1. 8, & 22 – Events at the stadium; Nov. 10 & 24 – Board Of Selectmen’s Meetings; Nov. 6 – “Three Mill Girls” at Chapel Meetinghouse (7:00 p.m.); Nov. 11, 26, & 27 – No School (FPS); Nov. 12 – “Dinosaurs” at Orpheum Theatre (9:30 a.m.); Nov. 12 – Fall Jazz Concert at FHS (7:00 p.m.); Nov. 14 – “Belly Cat” Fundraiser for Felines Of Foxborough (6:30 p.m. at SFCC); Nov. 21 – Jaycees Craft Fair at American Legion (10:00 a.m.); Nov. 21 – Mother Goose On The Loose at Boyden; Nov. 21 – Handbell Festival at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church (3:00 p.m.); Nov. 24 – FMA Young Artist Recital at FHS (7:00 p.m.).
Other November Holidays And Observances
2 Deviled Egg Day
4 King Tut Day
11 Veterans Day/Remembrance Day
15 America Recycles Day
20 Transgender Day of Remembrance
27 Buy Nothing Day
November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month; Adoption Awareness Month; Alzheimer’s Disease Month; Diabetes Month; and Native-American Heritage Month. Nov. 1-7 Animal Shelter Appreciation Week; Nov. 9-15 World Kindness Week; Nov. 15-21 Hunger & Homeless Awareness Week; Nov. 22-28 National Game & Puzzle Week.
